At Queensland Migration Practice, we specialise in assisting clients with applying for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), a temporary work visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years. With our in-depth understanding of Australian immigration law and the processes used by the Department of Home Affairs, we help our clients secure the visa they need, when they need it.
What is a 482 Visa?
The 482 visa allows you to live and work in Australia for a sponsoring employer for a period of up to 4 years.
For those with an occupation listed on the Core Skills Occupation List, the 482 visa can be a stepping stone to permanent residency after working with the sponsoring employer for a period of two years.
This visa also allows holders to bring their eligible dependents to live, work, or study in Australia during the duration of their stay. There are no restrictions on how many times the visa holder can leave and re-enter Australia during their visa period.
How to Apply for a Temporary Work Visa
There are three stages to employing a skilled worker under the subclass 482 visa program:
- Employer applies to be a sponsor;
- Employer nominates a position; and
- Employee applies for a visa.
The government requires businesses to get the “standard business sponsor” status so that both you and the government can be sure that:
- The business you are working for is law abiding and has a reliable structure
- The business sponsoring you is in a sound financial position
- The training activities of the business meet the Department of Immigration’s benchmarks (if the business is operating in Australia)
Labour Agreements
In some industries, formal arrangements between employers and the Australian government called “labour agreements” must be reached before overseas workers can be recruited. Your sponsoring company may employ you under a “labour agreement” if:
- You’re being sponsored for a job in the meat or on-hire industries
- There is a skill shortage within the industry you’re being sponsored in, but the sponsored position isn’t on the approved occupation list
- Other unique requirements stop the business from sponsoring you under a standard business sponsorship
This can be lodged at the same time as the business applies to become a “standard business sponsor” or lodges their “labour agreement”, but nomination can’t be done before this first step.
At Queensland Migration Practice, we facilitate this nomination process by making sure that all applications are made properly. We do this by helping you:
- Provide the proper documentation
- Ensure the correct nomination fees are paid on time
- Ensure the nominating business meets all of its legal requirements
- Make sure you’ve got the right qualifications, skills and experience needed for approval
- Meet any additional requirements
Whether you need a temporary skilled visa for a job that is already listed, or you’d like permission to start working in a new position, we are here to make sure all processes are done right, the first time.
The third and most important step in the 482 visa acquisition process is for you, the person the employer has nominated for the position, to apply for the 482 visa.
Main Requirements for Temporary Skilled Work Visa Applicants
The main requirements you must satisfy to obtain a temporary skilled work visa are:
- You must show you have the skill level required for the nominated occupation
- The nominated position has to be on the Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL), or a labour agreement must be reached
- The English language requirement must be met: An IELTS test score with at least 5.0 in each of the four test components is required for most occupations
- You must pay for and pass all the necessary health checks and obtain health insurance
- You may be required to prove you’re of good character by providing police certificates from countries you’ve previously lived in
How Queensland Migration Practice Can Help You
We understand that the sheer number of prerequisites and paperwork involved with getting a 482 temporary skills shortage visa can be overwhelming.
Fortunately, we have helped hundreds of international workers obtain permission to live and work in Australia, by offering assistance in the following areas:
Documentation
Because we have a thorough understanding of the way the system works – from sponsorship to nomination to application and approval – Queensland Migration Practice will help you provide all of the relevant documentation as quickly as possible, so that the whole process goes smoothly.
We’ll advise you on the easiest ways to obtain:
- Relevant documents to support your application
- Translations of documents that are not in English
- Any required police certificates or background checks
- Proof of any required certification, registration or licensing
- Sufficient employment references and resumes
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Proof of intended residence
With all of these documents secured before you lodge your application, you’ll have a much better chance at a fast, problem-free, temporary work visa approval.
Matching Skills with Employers
So that you have the best chance at success, we review your applications to make sure they align with the qualifications, experience and licencing required by your potential employer.
If your visa requires that you prove you have particular skills required for the nominated occupation, we’ll also help you complete your migration skills assessment.
Fees & Charges
All skilled temporary visa applications must be lodged with the correct visa application fee, which is why we help you identify and process all payments required.
Streamlined Processing
In some cases, the Australian government has put in place streamlined processing arrangements to help executives, managers and specialists or those on an intracompany transfer easily obtain 482 visas. We’ll identify if you’re eligible for a fast tracked application so that you can start working as soon as possible.
Secondary Visas
In addition to helping our clients obtain 482 visas, we also advise migrant workers about the easiest way to bring their family members including spouses, de facto partners, and children to Australia. With our thorough understanding of all the legislation surrounding secondary visa applications, we’ll make sure you don’t have to be away from your loved ones for any longer than necessary.
Changes to Your Circumstances
If your circumstances change while you are working, you may need to notify the department. We’ll help you keep track of what documentation or applications you are required to lodge during your stay in Australia.
Additional Visas
We will help you identify and apply for any additional visas you may need once your 482 has run out, so that you can continue to travel to or stay in Australia if you wish.
Processing Times
The department aims to finalise 482 visa applications within 2 to 3 months. However, with Queensland Migration Practice helping you meet these requirements, this time frame can often be significantly reduced.
Your Employer’s Sponsorship Obligations
In order to protect migrant workers while they are employed in Australia, the government has put certain anti-exploitation measures in place. We will work with you and your employer to ensure that these obligations are understood by both parties before we commence the process.
These sponsorship obligations include:
- Cooperation with inspectors
- Provision of employment terms and conditions that are equivalent to those offered to Australians or meet the remuneration agreed upon under the labour agreement
- Payment of travel costs to enable the sponsored persons to leave Australia, where costs have been requested in writing
- Keeping all required records (travel requests and costs, tasks performed in your occupation, wages, money dealt with on your behalf, other non-monetary benefits you receive, how your training obligations were met, and any labour agreement records)
- Ensuring you work or participate in your nominated occupation, programme or activity
482 Visa Holder Wages
All workers in Australia are entitled to workplace rights established by industrial instruments like minimum wage and enterprise agreements.
Under a temporary skilled work visa, the skilled worker must be paid not less than $73,150 (and increasing each year) and commensurate with the market salary for the position.
For more information about the protections in the workplace, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman or Unions Australia websites.
Taxation is taken automatically from your pay in Australia, and you must apply for a Tax File Number from the ATO before you start work.
Contact Queensland Migration Practice Today
If you’re considering applying for a 482 Skills in Demand visa in Australia, call Queensland Migration Practice today.
We will gladly help you establish whether your skill-set meets the requirements for a 482 visa, and assist you with the application process, from providing impeccable paperwork, to sourcing documents, to helping you meet the practical health and English requirements.
Do you need more information? Contact us today for an assessment of your visa eligibility and options, or an explanation of the instructions on the Department of Home Affair’s website.
Just call (07) 3184 9152 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll provide you with everything you need to get started on your way towards obtaining an Australian skilled temporary visa.
